Current luck changing tourist visa to work visa

Hi,

So I have read all the recent post related to this topic but I was hoping to get some insight on the current status of how difficult it has been for people to change their tourist visa to a work visa (for teaching). I am an experienced ESL teacher and I have a tourist visa for China. I have heard that a trip to HK is usually required, but I have also read that this doesn't work often. Has anyone had any success or has anyone been refused recently? I have heard a few big factors that contribute to receiving approval are what province you are in and how well connected your school is. So, are there known provinces that are easier to obtain a work visa in? Also is more likely to get approval working with a private school or public school? Also I am a 25 year old American (not sure if nationality or age effect likelihood at all) .

Your employer changes it, not you. ask your next employer.

The correct proceedure is a trip to Hong Kong to get a Z visa. If it doesn't happen be suspicious or sharp.

99 times out of 100 a public school will be better connected than a private one for the simple fact that the headmaster will be a leading party official.

actually, John555 is more right than I am (again). One can apply for a Z outside of the country. Things changed.

Which now has me wonderign waht sort of Visa my current employer is arranging for me in Sydney). I hope it is a mutliple entry. (I want to visit Macau (never been there) and Hong Kong (again).

yeah, a required HK trip is what I have read on a lot of other forums. I was also wondering about whether it would be multi-entry. I got kind of freaked out reading that people could be denied in HK and have to go to their home country, but no one has confirmed that rumor for me. And the public over private thing makes sense. Any idea about processing times in HK for a Z visa?

Thanks for all your advice!

email Forever Bright. they are the experts: http://www.fbt-chinavisa.com.hk/

Have to apply officially so 5 days I would think.

I got kind of freaked out reading that people could be denied in HK and have to go to their home country, but no one has confirmed that rumor for me.

While the website of the Chinese consulate in HK indicates that only residents can apply there, I can't recall a single person reporting that they were unable to obtain a Chinese visa in HK. Sometimes the visa can be pretty limited but it is still a visa.

As a US passport holder, your absolute best bet to get a multiple entry visa is to apply in the US for a tourist visa and to use a visa service such as mychinavisa.com. This will enable you to get a one year multiple entry visa with entries of 60-90 days each. Cost for a US passport holder is always at least 140 USD and it doesn't matter whether it is a single entry, double entry, multiple entry visa. Cost is the same.

Ruth

Harry, Macau is only worth visiting in transit unless you like casinos.

In that case, it will be a quick trip. ;-)